• If you didn’t know better, you’d take USC football quite seriously. You do know better, because you’ve seen Lincoln Riley’s USC defenses.
• Southern Cal is reportedly targeting Gary Patterson as its defensive coordinator.
• Lincoln Riley says he feels ‘fantastic’ about USC’s defense, ahead of pivotal 2026 season.

If you didn’t know better, you’d be taking Southern Cal football quite seriously. The Trojans signed a robust recruiting class. They’re returning their starting quarterback, Jayden Maiava, on the heels of a nine-win season.

By now, we do know better than to take a Lincoln Riley team seriously — at least, not as a national championship contender or even a Big Ten frontrunner. In nine seasons coaching blue bloods, Riley never assembled an elite defense. He’s rarely even produced a good defense.

On cue, USC’s season ended in an Alamo Bowl loss in overtime last month after the Trojans missed four tackles while TCU running back Jeremy Payne turned a check-down pass into a winning touchdown on 3rd-and-20.

A touchdown. On a check-down pass. On 3rd-and-stinkin’-20.

That’s Riley football.

That’s USC football.

That’s not serious football.

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In what could be a make-or-break season for Riley, he didn’t do nearly enough in the transfer sweepstakes to substantially upgrade USC’s defense. That’s after the Trojans ranked 13th in the Big Ten in total defense, despite not facing either Indiana or Ohio State.

USC will play the Hoosiers and the Buckeyes in 2026 amid a Big Ten schedule that also includes Oregon, Penn State and Washington.

So, how’s Riley feeling about that defense ahead of this pivotal season?

“I feel fantastic” about the defense, Riley said after the bowl loss. “You know, we’ve made obviously documented strides the last couple of years statistically, but those that really study the game and watch the way that we’ve played and the way that we’ve been able to improve, the arrow is just pointing straight up.”

Um, sure.

It’s true the Trojans improved defensively — partly because USC played some of the worst defense in the country his first two seasons. His defenses went from bad to something better than bad.

In losses to TCU, Illinois, Notre Dame and Oregon, the Trojans allowed a total of 140 points.

Which direction is that arrow pointing?

But, hey, he’s got a new hand to fix it. USC is reportedly targeting former TCU coach Gary Patterson as its defensive coordinator.

If Gary Patterson can’t fix USC defense, can anyone?

Patterson’s Horned Frogs had some toughness to them, but he’s not had an on-field coaching job since TCU parted with him in 2021.

Patterson is used to being in charge. Not since 2000 has he worked under a coach as a defensive coordinator. There’s no telling how this might go.

He’ll be the fourth defensive coordinator to work under Riley, including his third at USC. The last coordinator to have much success running a defense for Riley was Alex Grinch at Oklahoma in 2020.

Riley’s teams are, in a word, sawwwffft. Softer than milk chocolate on a summer day at Hermosa Beach.

That doesn’t win championships in this era. That didn’t win championships in previous eras, either.

Consider the past five national champions: Georgia (twice), Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana. Each had a top-10 defense. If you accused a defensive lineman on one of those teams of being soft, you might find yourself consuming meals through a straw.

When Riley coached Oklahoma in the Big 12, he built playoff squads thanks to his ability to develop star quarterbacks. His defenses routinely got exploited in playoff losses. He scooted out of Oklahoma before it joined the more rugged SEC, only to find himself stuck inside the nation’s best conference, the Big Ten.

Riley’s offenses are always good enough that he never delivers a truly bad season. That’s his secret sauce. He’s 9-for-9 delivering winning records throughout his career. He’s never won a playoff game.

At USC, he’s 35-18. His best year was his first. That would get Riley fired from LSU. Ask Brian Kelly about that.

To Riley’s credit, he signed a No. 1-ranked recruiting class loaded with four-star talent. One wonders where those players will be a year or two from now, if Riley doesn’t accelerate his performance. Take it from Indiana: National championships are won with grown men, many of them transfers.

Lincoln Riley faces pivotal season in USC tenure

Curt Cignetti offered proof that patience is a loser’s battle cry, but a bit of patience can still be rewarded. Mario Cristobal didn’t get Miami into the playoff until his Year 4 breakthrough.

Riley enters his fifth season after being hired to a 10-year contract. If you consider the idea of a top recruiting class joining a nine-win team that returns its quarterback, you might think the Trojans are poised to join Miami as a name brand ready to reclaim their place of power.

Peel back the surface, though, and comparing USC to the 2025 Hurricanes becomes difficult. Miami had a sturdy defense, complete with the nation’s fiercest pass rush. The Hurricanes excelled at getting off the field on third down.

That just doesn’t sound like a Riley team, does it?

Third-and-20. Check-down. Touchdown.

“We have the personnel to” play great defense, Riley told reporters on Dec. 30. “We’re on an upward trend.”

If you didn’t know better, you might believe that.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers’ comeback bid fell short in a 112-104 loss to the L.A. Clippers on Thursday, but the game felt secondary the moment it ended.

During his postgame availability, James was asked about a story by ESPN that questioned the relationship he had with the Lakers’ front office and, more specifically, team governor Jeanie Buss.

“I don’t care about an article,” James said. “I don’t care how somebody feels about me. If you know me personally, you know what I’m about. These guys know what I’m about.”

James indicated he doesn’t spend much time talking with Buss, but added he didn’t do so with the ultimate leaders of the other teams he played for during his NBA career. 

“I thought it was good, but someone might see it a different way,” James said when asked about his relationship with Buss. “There are always two sides to the coin.

“At the end of the day, how I represented this franchise and what I wanted to do to represent this franchise from when I got here until now was with the utmost respect, honor, dignity and loyalty.’

Buss released a statement hours after the ESPN story was published on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

“It’s really not right, given all the great things LeBron has done for the Lakers, that he has to be pulled into my family drama,” Buss said in a statement to The Athletic. ‘To say that it wasn’t appreciated is just not true and completely unfair to him.”

The story was centered around the issues within the Buss family, but also pointed to several incidents where Jeanie Buss had reportedly not been pleased with the team’s superstar.

The story said Buss felt James had failed to take accountability for how things worked out with Russell Westbrook and thought James appeared to be ungrateful after the team drafted James’ son, Bronny, in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

Rose BC forward Azurá Stevens is using her TikTok account to bond with other players while participating in Unrivaled, the women’s professional 3-on-3 league in Miami, and the results are delightful.

‘This is kind of the perfect place to kind of collab with other people because we’re literally all here,’ Stevens told USA TODAY Sports. ‘It kind of just happened organically.’

The 6-foot-6 veteran has played in the WNBA for the Dallas Wings, Chicago Sky and, most recently, Los Angeles Sparks. While in Chicago, Stevens, who says she loves dancing, began making TikTok videos.

At first, she did the clips solo before asking her friends to join in. When Stevens signed with Los Angeles in 2023, she continued making the TikToks, adding teammates like Sparks and Breeze center Cameron Brink and forward Rickea Jackson to the fun.

Jackson and Stevens collaborated again shortly after landing in Miami for the second season of Unrivaled. What started as bonding between teammates has blossomed into something much larger ― a movement taking over Unrivaled.

Stevens has collaborated with multiple WNBA stars during her downtime at Unrivaled, including WNBA Rookie of the Year and Breeze BC guard Paige Bueckers. Stevens told USA TODAY she leads the choreography and song selections for the videos; Bueckers comes up with the captions.

‘The TikToks with Paige [Bueckers] just kind of happened,’ Stevens said. ‘I just [saw] her, and we were just like, ‘We should make a TikTok.’ Then, we just started sending it to each other, and then, we just started making them. It’s funny; people think she doesn’t have rhythm. She actually really does. She’s a good dancer.’

Stevens said the TikTok videos are ‘fun’ and ‘silly’ things that help players highlight their personalities in ways fans might not see during the WNBA season. They also allow fans to build a connection to the athletes.

Since beginning her TikTok videos in Miami, Stevens has formed a deeper bond with many players and the list grows by the day. She has collaborated with Brink, Jackson, Bueckers and 15 other players, including Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier and Sparks and Phantom guard Kelsey Plum. Stevens says, Plum, who rarely does TikTok videos, had one request: it had to be simple.

‘She killed it. She did so good,’ Stevens said. ‘My favorite part of that video is, in the beginning, she’s so focused because we had just rehearsed her part. So she was really locking in on what she had to do. It was so funny.’

Stevens has been slowly making her way through the Unrivaled facilities, targeting one player at a time. Connecticut Sun and Hive BC guard Saniya Rivers is on the docket for a video and Las Vegas Aces and Laces BC guard Jackie Young said she is ‘kinda open,’ depending on the type of video Stevens has planned.

But, not everyone is signing up to be TikTok stars. Unrivaled co-founder and Mist forward Breanna Stewart and Phoenix Mercury and Laces forward Alyssa Thomas refuse do it. Stevens revealed to USA TODAY that she’s planning a UConn Huskies-themed TikTok video, and Stewart, who won four championships with the program, ‘can’t say no to that.’

Thomas is a different story. The Laces forward has mostly avoided cameras during her two seasons at Unrivaled. Stevens remains undeterred. She vows to get Thomas in a TikTok video by the end of the season. Stevens shared she’s prepared to bring in reinforcements, like Thomas’s fianceé, Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner, to help.

‘I need all the fans manifesting that [Alyssa Thomas] will do one with me. Just one,’ Stevens said, smiling. ‘I told her it doesn’t even have to be dancing. I can come up with another one. Just please, [Alyssa Thomas].

‘She said ‘maybe’ though. She did say ‘maybe’. So I feel like I’m slowly wearing her down. Each day, it’s like she’s getting closer to saying yes.’

With nearly 20 players already onboard for TikTok collaborations, Stevens says there’s just one goal left to accomplish.

‘If I could get one with every single player, I think that would be really cool, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that by the end of the season,’ she said,’ We’ll see.’

The NBA trade deadline is fewer than two weeks away, and teams are assessing the market, potentially working up viable offers.

It has been a fairly quiet leadup, with the lone trade so far being the one that sent Trae Young to the Wizards and CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Hawks.

Still, there are plenty of stars and big names who may be available in deals, if the price is right. None is bigger than Giannis Antetokounmpo, though a lot has to happen for him to not only become available, but also for the Bucks to find an offer that works and move him.

In any case, here’s a look at possible landing spots for the biggest NBA trade targets:

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Things appear to be deteriorating by the day in Milwaukee, with Antetokounmpo clearly frustrated. But even if he does ask out — and he would need to do so soon — he’s a generational player that Milwaukee wouldn’t move for just any offer. The Bucks, who are lacking draft capital, would need to ensure that they’re getting appropriate value for the two-time MVP.

Most likely landing spot: Stays in Milwaukee

This comes with a massive caveat: if Antetokounmpo is eventually moved, a deal in the offseason would be far easier to execute. But if the relationship really sours, and Antetokounmpo does ask out, the Heat, Warriors and Lakers are viable spots, though — frankly — just about every team will be lining up for his services.

Anthony Davis

According to ESPN, Davis wants to be moved to a team that is in position to contend. Davis, 32, may not be an ideal fit in Dallas’ timeline, so it could look to move the veteran big who has struggled to stay on the floor for the Mavericks. In fact, his hand injury appears to be significantly impacting his trade market.

Most likely landing spot: Warriors

Golden State will be looking to maximize the window to win with Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler’s injury doesn’t help. The Warriors have Jonathan Kuminga to offer, and they have desperately needed a center for years.

Other options include the Hornets, Pistons, Bulls, Hawks, Raptors and Kings.

Ja Morant

His recent return to form after he sat with a right calf contusion is helping his trade value, and Memphis may be looking to rebuild, with rumors also swirling about the future of Jaren Jackson Jr. Morant, despite his injury history and off-court issues, is still only 26 and explosive. His shooting has taken a massive step back, but he can inject athleticism into the right offense.

Most likely landing spot: Bucks

Milwaukee could try one last-ditch attempt to sway Antetokounmpo, and Morant is an athletic player who thrives in the pick-and-roll.

Other options include the Timberwolves, Kings, Raptors and Clippers.

Michael Porter Jr.

This appears to be a case of a team that loves draft capital wanting to leverage value for more picks. Porter is having a career year and his offense could help teams that struggle to score.

Most likely landing spot: Pistons

Detroit is No. 1 in the East and the temptation may be to not shake things up, but the Pistons, who rank 25th in offensive rating (110.3) in January, need some more shooting and offensive production.

Other spots include the Mavericks, Bucks, Grizzlies and Wizards.

Jonathan Kuminga

The Warriors simply haven’t found a way to seamlessly incorporate Kuminga into the lineup. And now with Jimmy Butler hurt, Golden State may be looking to aggressively ramp up its efforts to trade Kuminga.

Most likely landing spot: Mavericks

Other spots include the Lakers and Bucks.

Domantas Sabonis

He has dealt with injuries and has seen his scoring and assist numbers drop significantly. Sabonis does best when he’s the anchor of an offense, distributing the ball from the top of the key and engaged in pick-and-rolls with a capable point guard.

Most likely landing spot: Raptors

Other spots include the Clippers, Celtics and Pistons.

The FBI is investigating the circumstances of late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay’s death and the addiction recovery specialist who treated Irsay in his final days, according to a report from the Washington Post.

On Jan. 22, the Post reported that it reviewed a federal grand jury subpoena showing that the FBI requested ‘records and information relating to Irsay’s death, his ‘substance (illegal and prescription) use,’ and his ‘relationship with Dr. Harry Haroutunian,” an addiction recovery specialist based in southern California.

Federal agents traveled to Indianapolis ‘for several days’ in January to interview people who were close to Irsay, according to two people the Post cited with knowledge of the agency’s investigation. Those people remained anonymous as they were not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation.

The late Colts owner died at 65 last May while vacationing in Beverley Hills. At the time of Irsay’s death, Haroutunian was staying at the same hotel ‘and overseeing Irsay’s treatment,’ according to the Post.

Irsay’s death certificate, which Haroutunian signed, listed the official cause of death as cardiac arrest caused by acute pneumonia, with previous heart conditions also contributing. The Post reported last August that the Beverley Hills Police Department, which initially investigated Irsay’s death, did not perform a toxicology report or autopsy.

Last August, the Post also reported that there was evidence Irsay had ‘secretly relapsed’ after years of struggling with substance abuse, despite his public claims that he had remained clean. The Post reported that Irsay suffered three overdoses in the six years before his death – once in 2020 and two more times in a two-week span in 2023.

Haroutunian served as Irsay’s treating physician throughout his tumultuous battle with addiction, according to the Post.

The Post reported that Haroutunian was giving Irsay opioid prescriptions and ketamine injections in his final months, after his relapse. The volume of Haroutunian’s prescriptions – as many as 200 opioid pills shortly before Irsay’s two overdoses in 2023, per the Post – and ketamine treatments ‘alarmed’ those close to Irsay, the Post reported.

Ketamine is a drug approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an anesthetic, but its use to treat patients with substance abuse problems ‘is controversial,’ per the Post, for the drug’s own potential for abuse. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), ketamine produces hallucinations and can cause rises in heart rate and blood pressure.

Irsay was a vocal advocate for battling mental health issues and did not shy away from publicly commenting on his battle with addiction. In 2020, Irsay and the Colts launched a charity called Kicking the Stigma, which is dedicated to ‘raise awareness around mental health and combat the feelings of shame associated with mental illness,’ according to its website.

Irsay inherited the Colts from his father, Robert, after Robert’s death in 1997. Jim Irsay passed ownership of the Colts on to his three daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson, after his death. Irsay-Gordon serves as the team’s principal owner and CEO.

As the NBA All-Star Game approaches, the race for Most Valuable Player is clearing up.

Early injuries have impacted the race, and Denver Nuggets do-it-all center Nikola Jokić is the latest player to fall victim. Jokić has missed the last 12 games, which has momentarily pushed him out of consideration. When he’s on the floor, he has as good an argument as anyone, but it’s hard to justify his position in the Top 5, given his current absence.

The Nuggets, however, have been encouraged with the progress he has made, so that could change very quickly.

Here’s the latest iteration of the USA TODAY Sports NBA MVP rankings:

USA TODAY Sports NBA MVP rankings

All stats entering play Thursday, Jan. 22

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

He has expressed his frustrations and an eventual separation from the Bucks may be forthcoming, but Antetokounmpo remains a force when he’s on the floor. Even though his usage and numbers have dropped over Milwaukee’s last four games — he’s averaging just 12 shots per game over that span — he’s still averaging 28.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.

4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

The last week has seen Cunningham rely far more on his ability to distribute, and he keeps leading the Pistons to victories. Cunningham dished out 14 assists in a one-point win over the No. 2 seed Celtics and has totaled 43 dimes over the last four games. The Pistons trail only the defending-champion Thunder in victories with 32 and have built a solid 5½-game lead on Boston in the East.

3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers

The defense continues to be a significant issue, but Dončić is still the NBA’s leading scorer. He’s a three-level scorer and carries Los Angeles’ offense as the Lakers have remained competitive in a stacked Western Conference. A 38-13-10 triple-double in a massive victory against the Nuggets, who were without Nikola Jokić, showed his impact on any given night.

2. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

He’s having a career year, averaging personal bests in points (29.8) and assists (4.8) while unexpectedly leading the Celtics to the No. 2 seed in the East. Brown is also putting in excellent effort on the defensive end, using his length to frustrate the opposition. If Jayson Tatum ever does make it back this season, Brown’s usage figures to dip. But even then, he’s proving he’s capable as a No. 1.

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

It’s, once again, the consistency Gilgeous-Alexander plays with that separates him from the pack. SGA is second in the NBA in scoring (32.0 points per game) and is on the verge of breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record of consecutive games with at least 20 points. His defense is stellar and he never seems to be flustered. And, because he’s typically available, he may end up running away with his second consecutive MVP.

It’s one of the most exciting things to watch yet one of the most excruciating places to be in college basketball: the NCAA tournament bubble.

Even though Selection Sunday is more than 50 days away, there are teams already approaching desperation mode, in need of impressing the selection committee — or it could make for an uncomfortable ride in March.

It’s already time to start looking at resumes and figuring what teams need to ensure their spot in the Big Dance. Welcome to the bubble watch, where we’ll examine teams on the fence in the recent USA TODAY Sports Bracketology:

UCLA

• Record: 13-6 (3-2)
• NET Ranking: 40
• Quad 1 record: 2-5
• Projected seed: No. 11 (first four).
• Quality wins: vs. Purdue
• Bad losses: vs. California (neutral)

It’s been a largely disappointing season for the Bruins, unable to live up to the preseason expectations by not playing up to marquee opponents. The new year got off to a tough start with three losses in five games, pushing UCLA further away from NCAA tournament certainty. It tremendously helped its case by beating Purdue for that first signature win of the season. The schedule gets lighter now with Northwestern next, and it doesn’t leave the West Coast again until the middle of February. A winning streak is a must.

New Mexico

• Record: 15-4 (6-2)
• NET Ranking: 41
• Quad 1 record: 1-3
• Projected seed: No. 11 (first four)
• Quality wins: at Virginia Commonwealth
• Bad losses: at New Mexico State, at Boise State

Eric Olen’s first season in Albuquerque had a bumpy start with a 3-2 record, but the Lobos have righted the ship with a 12-2 record since. However, this current stretch doesn’t have any real significant wins, and the loss to Boise State inflicted some real damage. There was the chance against San Diego State but New Mexico couldn’t pull of the late road comeback. The next week includes Quad 2 games at Nevada and UNLV, which it can’t afford to drop.

Ohio State

• Record: 13-5 (5-3)
• NET Ranking: 35
• Quad 1 record: 1-4
• Projected seed: No. 11 (first four)
• Quality wins: vs. UCLA
• Bad losses: at Pittsburgh, at Washington

You never know what team you’re going to get with Ohio State, who crumbled against Washington but then looked solid against UCLA right after. While it doesn’t have any major win, the Buckeyes benefit from having a strong NET ranking, thanks to some close games against top-tier squads. The chance to really make a statement is now with trips to Michigan and Wisconsin coming up, as the loss to Pittsburgh looms large.

TCU

• Record: 12-7 (2-4)
• NET Ranking: 46
• Quad 1 record: 2-4
• Projected seed: No. 11 (first four)
• Quality wins: vs. Florida (netural), vs. Wisconsin (neutral)
• Bad losses: vs. New Orleans, vs. Notre Dame, at Utah

The season-opening loss to New Orleans immediately made it a tough road for TCU, and it hasn’t gotten any easier despite some real good wins against Florida and Wisconsin in November. The shocking loss to Kansas started a four-game losing streak that was punctuated with a head-scratching defeat to Utah. It’s getting harder for the Horned Frogs with Baylor and Houston next, needing at least one win to avoid tumbling.

Creighton

• Record: 12-8 (6-3)
• NET Ranking: 59
• Quad 1 record: 1-5
• Projected seed: First four out
• Quality wins: at Villanova
• Bad losses: vs. Kansas State, at Providence

Starting 5-5 with a Quad 3 loss wasn’t ideal for Creighton, but it could have been redeemed with a strong start to Big East play. Unfortunately, it hasn’t gone that way. The Bluejays haven’t taken advantage, picking up just a win against Villanova that finally got them a Quad 1 win, only for it to be wiped out with a loss to Providence. Creighton just avoided disaster by barely getting past Xavier, and it needs to get a win streak going, starting with an easy opportunity against Marquette.

Baylor

• Record: 11-7 (1-5)
• NET Ranking: 53
• Quad 1 record: 1-6
• Projected seed: First four out.
• Quality wins: at Oklahoma State
• Bad losses: at Memphis

Baylor has yet to catch up with the rest of the Big 12, finding itself in another odd position. Even though it lost to Memphis, it finished nonconference play 10-2. It’s gone bad since with a 1-5 conference start, and while they’ve all been Quad 1 games, that won’t cut it for any tournament candidate, especially a NET ranking so high. Simply put, Baylor needs to get out of the Big 12 basement, starting with TCU and Cincinnati up next.

Texas

• Record: 11-8 (2-4)
• NET Ranking: 43
• Quad 1 record: 3-5
• Projected seed: First four out
• Quality wins: at Alabama, vs. Vanderbilt
• Bad losses: vs. Arizona State (neutral), vs. Mississippi State

Sean Miller had a largely unimpressive start in Austin and it’s been an up-and-down start to the SEC schedule. Texas started 0-2 with a bad Quad 3 overtime loss to Mississippi State, but then got some marquee wins in Alabama and Vanderbilt, handing the Commodores their first loss of the season. The Longhorns have slid again with back-to-back losses, now owning an 0-3 Quad 2 and 3 record. That can be forgiven if Texas can pick up wins against Georgia and Auburn to even out the Quad 1 record.

Indiana

• Record: 12-7 (3-5) 
• NET Ranking: 37
• Quad 1 record: 0-6
• Projected seed: First four out
• Quality wins: none
• Bad losses: vs. Minnesota

The lack of quality wins says it all for Indiana, with the Hoosiers still looking for a notable victory to prove it belongs in the field. They swung and missed at every opportunity in the nonconference schedule and in the early part of the Big Ten slate, currently on a four-game losing skid that included three top-10 teams. The Hoosiers need to get a Quad 1 win soon, and it will have three chances in the next four games.

For the first time since 2008, the Baltimore Ravens have a new head coach.

The team announced on Thursday it had agreed to a deal with Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Minter, 42, was as an assistant coach from 2017-20 on John Harbaugh’s staff for the Ravens. Baltimore fired Harbaugh on Jan. 6, concluding his 18-year run with the franchise that had ranked as the second-longest active tenure among head coaches.

‘I am truly honored to serve as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens,’ Minter said in a release. ‘This is an organization whose values, culture and tradition of excellence reflect everything I believe about the game of football and how it should be played.’

Under Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, Minter orchestrated a defense that allowed the fewest points in the NFL in 2024 after ranking 24th just a year earlier. Last season, Los Angeles finished in the top 10 in both scoring defense (ninth) and yards allowed (fifth).

Ravens wrap up their search

Minter quickly became one of the most in-demand coaches on the interview circuit, with the first nine teams to have vacancies this offseason – prior to the Buffalo Bills’ dismissal of Sean McDermott on Tuesday – all requesting to speak with him.

Minter met with the Ravens on Wednesday. Earlier on Thursday, he withdrew from consideration for the Cleveland Browns’ opening, according to multiple reports.

The Ravens ran an extensive search, interviewing 16 candidates before the hire materialized.

In Baltimore, Minter will be tasked with leading two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson – with whom owner Steve Bisciotti said he wants to reach a contract extension before free agency – and the rest of a talented roster that tied for the most Pro Bowl selections with six. The Ravens are coming off just their third losing season in the last 18 years.

‘Jesse is a strong leader who possesses a brilliant football mind and a spirit that will resonate with our players and fanbase alike,’ Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a release. ‘Jesse comes from a football family, with success at every level of the sport, and we are confident that he is the right coach to lead the Ravens forward.’

What’s next for Chargers after Minter leaves?

Minter’s exit from Los Angeles means the Chargers will have two offseason shifts at coordinator. The team fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman and lined up former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel as his replacement.

Minter’s departure was one that Jim Harbaugh had seen coming.

“It’s really not so much a question of ‘if.’ We’ve known that. It’s a question of ‘when,’ the product that Jesse has established as the head coach of the defense, that’s so good that we know it’s a matter of ‘when.’ So (we’re) prepared for that,’ Harbaugh said last week.

Chargers players react to Minter’s hiring by Ravens

Minter received an outpouring of support on social media from several Chargers players, including safeties Derwin James and Tony Jefferson.